Unwind

Unwind
by Neal Shutterman

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. -Back 'o the Book

This book was really easy for me to get into. With quick chapters that jumped around from multiple points of view, it was fast and engrossing. There was a whole world created that seems like it could be in the not too distant future. The characters were all real but I wish they had developed them a little more.

Sure it sounds kind of dark and it is a bit angsty, but wouldn't you be if your parents didn't want you anymore? I think a lot of people would love this story. I was particularly fascinated by the concept of unwinding and there is a very powerful scene where is describes the process of unwinding and the thoughts going through the kid's mind. Fantastic read. Can't wait for the next one!

-Recommended 

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies
by Issac Marion

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world. -Back o' the Book

When I saw what this was about I got it as fast as possible and I loved it! R was lovable  in a dead sort of way. In pop culture there are tons of zombie books/movies/comics etc. that show them as incurable and mindless. This story has a fantastic twist to it while still being a zombie book (which I love). It's not very often that we get to hear the inner thoughts of a zombie.

While this book is more existential inner thought and less mindless killing, there is enough action to keep you satisfied. The book moves very quickly and can easily be read in one day, if you've got the time. There is also a movie coming out fairly soon but we all know the book will be better, so you should read it before it comes out!

*Warning* Lots of language and some sexual content.

-Highly Recommended

Angelfall

Angelfall
by Susan Ee


It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again. - Back o' the Book

I had heard a lot of hype about this book and it seemed to be on a lot of best sellers lists so I decided to give it a try. The blurb on the back was interesting enough. Although I did like the story line and the concept was awesome, there seemed to be something wrong with how it was executed. I think what turned me off was the last of detail in the surroundings and in transitions between places. It seemed like the story was moving forward with a white background and only dialogue and inner thought to give you a sense of where you are. I felt lost while I was reading it. 

I'm not saying it was a bad book. I did enjoy the intrigue and the slight romance but then again, the characters seemed very flat to me. The main character, Penryn (which is an awkward name to say aloud) din't seem to grow at all during the whole book. I knew exactly what she would do from start to finish and she seemed too much like a fiction character. The main guy, Raffe, was also flat to me. He didn't have much to say and his actions seemed bored and apathetic most of the time, like a hollow shell of the cliche "YA bad boy" persona. Even other characters in the book that came by only for a scene or two seemed very fake and empty.

I feel a little bad for being so critical but I wasn't as insanely impressed as I thought I would be and I could tell by page 1. However, I don't regret reading it. It was quick to get through and kept me interested the whole way through. I can say it was never boring. I know that the author is planning another few books in the same series and I'm willing to get the next one and see if she develops her characters more. Not super great but not a bad read either. Just my opinion anyway. 

Shadows

Shadows
by Ilsa J. Bick

Out of the ashes, a new world emerges
A world stalked by the flesh-eating Changed – young, armed and hungry
A world ruled by the Elders, willing to kill to survive
A world in which no one is safe, and humans might be the worst of monsters
Alex and Tom, un-Changed, face unthinkable horror in their desperate struggle to find each other.
But the biggest terror of all is the monster within. Because no-one yet knows which young people Change, or why.
And no-one knows who will be next …-Back o' the Book

So I've been waiting so very (im)patiently for the second book of the Ashes Trilogy to come out and I nabbed it as soon as I could pre-order it. The first one was fantastic and the second was even better! It's fast paced the whole way through, I never felt any drag. The author does an amazing job of leaving you hanging at the end of every single chapter.

My only minor complain, or warning, would be the characters names are hard to keep track of if you read the last one a while ago like I did. I had to look up a quick summary to refresh my mind on all the names of the characters.

I can say I really don't want  to wait for the third book to come out (probably another year) but I am so very excited! I love this series!

-Recommended (Warning for graphic description/gore)

Insurgent

Insurgent
by Veronica Roth


One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. -Back o' the Book

This is book 2 (and I believe it's the last of the series) for the novel Divergent. I really enjoyed the first book but was kind of unimpressed by the main character although I did see much room for personal growth. In Insurgent, I was not disappointed. The stakes were much higher, the plot deeper, and the characters more complex, especially Tris, our heroine. I enjoyed watching her develop a personality and how bad things seemed to pile up on her. Her rise to the call of bravery was also invigorating to watch. 

I thought the ending left a lot of questions but gave you enough to satisfy (if this really is the end). I think anyone who likes dystopian novels would appreciate this series as much as I did. It even has a tad bit of romance in it although it's not riddled with it.

-Recommended

Crack Up To Be

Cracked Up To Be
by Courtney Summers

Perfect Parker Fadley isn't so perfect anymore.  She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school.  Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games…but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn't something she can say out loud.  It isn't even something she can say to herself.  A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault.  If she can just remove herself from everybody--be totally alone--then everything will be okay...The problem is, nobody will let her. -Back o' the Book

I was initially drawn to this story because I never liked the cheerleading, popular in school thing (I was a band/drama/art nerd) and I wanted to see why she left her in crowd. I was also curious as to what her big secret was. I had a hard time grasping onto her personality during the first chapter or so because what she was doing was kind of opposite of what she was thinking. After I got a hold of her, I really enjoyed her sarcasm but got frustrated when she continually pushed people further and further away.

The book was riddled with language, but then again, so was High School. It was a quick and engrossing read that had me curious the whole way through because the author did a great job giving you little tid bits of information that you slowly piece together until the final puzzle is revealed.

Hunting Lila

Hunting Lila
by Sarah Alderson

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she’s prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, Alex, since forever.

After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust – her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they’ve found them. In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone – there are others out there just like her – people with special powers -and her mother’s killer is one of them…-Back o' the Book

I found this book that was recommend on a blog site I follow and I think overall it was pretty good. To be honest I thought the beginning of the book went by rather slow, but it did pick up towards the end where I didn't really want to stop reading till I found out what happened.

The main character was a little young for me and a little boy crazy, but I'm hoping she will develop and mature in the next book because with her powers, she has a lot of potential to be a strong character. I would say this is a good book for teens to young adults who like some of the sci-fi mixed in (like I do) and I think I'm going to give the sequel of this book a chance and see if it delivers. It has tons of potential to do so.

The Green Mile

The Green Mile
by Stephen King

Welcome to Cold Mountain Penitentiary, home to the Depression-worn men of E Block. Convicted killers all, each awaits his turn to walk the Green Mile, keeping a date with "Old Sparky," Cold Mountain's electric chair. Prison guard Paul Edgecombe has seen his share of oddities in his years working the Mile. But he's never seen anyone like John Coffey, a man with the body of a giant and the mind of a child, condemned for a crime terrifying in its violence and shocking in its depravity. In this place of ultimate retribution, Edgecombe is about to discover the terrible, wondrous truth about Coffey, a truth that will challenge his most cherished beliefs...and yours. - Back o' the Book

I had heard about this book many times over the years and even saw a small portion of the movie. I recently found it for a dollar so I decided to give it a go and boy, was I sucked in! From the very start this book was completely engrossing. The characters were all so diverse and developed, it was like a movie playing in my head. I never wanted to put this book down.

It does have quite a bit of language and some more adult scenes, but I really really enjoyed it. I loved the way King created the language and set the time period so well. I also was very in love with the ending of the book. There are few novels out there that I can say I was completely satisfied with the ending, but this was sure one of them. A must read!
-Recommended (for adults)

Eona

Eona
by Alison Goodman

Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power—and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans... -Back o' the Book

So this is the sequel to Eon, the book I posted about previously. I really liked the first one but I liked the second even better. It kept building and building till the last few pages when it all came together. Like I mentioned before, I liked the way the author created the setting as well as the diverse characters. I loved the way the characters changed over the course of one book, it was very fun to read about their transformation.

Most books I can guess what's going to happen but this one held me in the dark most of the time, which is kind of refreshing, in a frustrating way. If you enjoy fantasy and strong characters, this is the book for you! (But please start with the first book.)

-Recommended

Eon

Eon
by Alison Goodman

Eon has been studying the ancient art of Dragon Magic for four years, hoping he’ll be able to apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. But he also has a dark secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been living a dangerous lie for the chance to become a Dragoneye, the human link to an energy dragon’s power. It is forbidden for females to practice the Dragon Magic and, if discovered, Eon faces a terrible death. After a dazzling sword ceremony, Eon’s affinity with the twelve dragons catapults him into the treacherous world of the Imperial court where he makes a powerful enemy, Lord Ido. -Back o' the Book

Again, I bought this because it sounded similar to a book idea that I had but I really did enjoy this. It was a little bit thicker of a book but I thought it was very easy to get into and the time went by quickly. I give kudos to the author for making a plethora of interesting characters, each very different from the next. She also created a whole civilization and social structure. I could see where she got some ideas but her world was unique and fun to explore.

It messed with my head a bit because the main character acted more like a boy and I was reminded a few times she was actually a girl. He (she) makes an interesting transformation throughout the book and I'm guessing she will develop even further in the second book, which I just bought today. Very fun read. I think those who enjoy fantasy, action, and magic will love this book.

-Recommended

The Space Between

The Space Between
by Brenna Yovanoff


Everything burns in Pandemonium, a city in Hell made of chrome and steel, where there is no future and life is an expanse of frozen time. That’s where Daphne lives.
The daughter of a demon and a fallen angel, she wonders what lies in store for her. Will she become a soulless demon like her sisters? Or follow in the footsteps of her brother Obie, whose life is devoted to saving lost souls on Earth? All she wants is to find a place where she belongs.
When Obie saves a bleeding, broken boy named Truman from the brink of death and then suddenly goes missing, Daphne runs away to Earth to find him. But on Earth, everything is colder and more terrifying, and Daphne struggles between her demon instincts and her growing—yet achingly unfamiliar—feelings for Truman. As Daphne and Truman search for Obie, they must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in their way. But Daphne also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be. - Back o' the Book

So I bought this book and started reading it although I still hasn't finished the other I was working on. But that's okay because this only took me three lunch breaks to read! Quick read and very engrossing. I thought that a book written by the perspective of a demon would be cool (also, I'm writing something similar so I wanted to see how she went about it).

Daphne was very interesting and I loved her mannerisms as well as Truman who I just wanted to give a hug to. I thought the author did and awesome job developing the characters even though the climax was a little lacking (in my opinion) but that didn't matter much because I just wanted to see what happened to Daphne and Truman. I thought the descriptions of things and places and people were pretty good. Not over done like some books where I find myself skipping descriptions. This was a very fun read and I would suggest it to anyone who likes books that are a little bit darker, but not depressingly so.

-Recommended

Feed

Feed
by M. T. Anderson


In a future world where internet connections feed directly into the consumer’s brain, thought is supplemented by advertising banners, and language has gone into a steep decline, a little love story unfolds. Titus, an average kid on a weekend trip to the moon, meets Violet, a brainy girl who has decided to try to fight the feed. Assaulted by a hacker who interrupts their connection, they struggle to understand what has happened to them – and to everyone around them. -Back o' the Book

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this book. I've read it more times than I can remember and just thinking about it makes me want to read it again. It takes some time to get used to the jargon used in the futuristic setting but after a while it starts to make sense.

This book is all about consumerism and the degradation of language and writing (most kids growing up don't know how to write with their hands, thanks to their feed they are connected to). I found this book to be a warning sign for the direction we as a nation and as a species are heading to. Very powerful stuff if you stop to think about it and not just read the words. I've forced my sister to read this and now she is in love with it too and rereads it occasionally.

The one downside to it is the amount of foul language ridden throughout the book, although it's just another example of the degradation of society that takes place.

-Highly Recommended

Willow

Willow
by Julia Hoban


Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow's parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy, one sensitive, soulful boy, discovers Willow's secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the "safe" world Willow has created for herself upside down. -Back o' the Book

The subject of this book is very sensitive but I like reading books like that. I have to say, however, that the characters and the way it was written was a little too dramatic for me. Not even the good kind of dramatic but the middle school "my life is horrible" kind of stuff. Willow did go through a lot and she was justified in her pain but after a while I wanted to smack her and tell her to accept the help and get better. I know I'm a hypocrite when I say that but maybe if the characters were more mature I would be a little more forgiving.

It was an alright book. Definitely for a younger group (just not too young). I don't think I would recommend it to many people, but who knows, you may just love it.

If I Stay

If I Stay
by Gale Forman


In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck... A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands. - Back o' the Book

I thought this book had a very interesting premise, it reminded me of The Lovely Bones, which I should also do a review on. I was curious how the author would pace it since Mia is almost dead and just floating around but she brought you back to many flashbacks of her life. I would say this was beautifully written and hard to put down. The main character was very different from most female leads to see in Young Adult novels. It is pretty sad in some areas and I found myself torn, just like her, about whether she should stay or go.

I would recommend this to older YA readers since there are some gory scenes and death is a bit of a touchy subject.

-Recommended

Ashes

Ashes
by Ilsa J. Bick

     An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.
     Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP. 
     For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human. -Back o' the Book

     This book had me gripped from the first page. I seriously did not want to put this one down. I was careful to try and not read it right before bed because it is a little creepy. I wasn't totally sold on the book description but once I realized what it was all about, I knew this was my kind of book!
     The main character was someone I could relate to and I liked the fact that she can really take care of herself (especially since her cop father taught her all the right things about guns and how to handle them). This is the first in a trilogy which I thought strange because most post-apocalyptic book don't have sequels for obvious reasons. I can say that I can't wait for the next book to come out in a few months because I really became emotionally invested in the characters and their story. One of my favorites!

-Recommended

Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush
by Becca Fitzpatrick

     For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along. 
     With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. 
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
- Back o' the Book

     I've been in a reading frenzy these last couple weeks but so far this is my favorite! Filled with great characters and a best friend that actually made me laugh, this book was hard to put down. I probably digested the thing in about four hours and I'm definitely going for book 2. Some scenes between Nora and bad boy Patch had my heart all a flutter like I was in the book.
     I thought it was going to be mostly romantic and teen angst but there is a good amount of mystery in there that kept me guessing the whole time, not ever positive of who to trust (much like poor Nora). Especially well written, I'd say this is one hot novel that really got my blood boiling, in a good way. *wink wink*

-Recommended

Wake

Wake
by Lisa McMann

     For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.
     She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.
     Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant... 
- Back o' the Book

     I thought this one was very well written and easy to read. The writing style was different in a way that it seemed like quick thoughts coming from Janie's mind. It zipped by but held my attention. I was pulled through this story as fast paced as it was and I really enjoyed it. It seemed not too far fetched and I really liked Janie's character.
     Very quick, very engrossing. I do believe I will be getting the next book in the series.

-Recommended

Juliet Immortal

Juliet Immortal
by Stacy Jay

The most tragic love story in history . . . 
     Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But Romeo didn't anticipate that Juliet would be granted eternal life, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light.
     For 700 years, Juliet has struggled to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent, while Romeo has fought for the dark side, seeking to destroy the human heart. Until now.
     Now Juliet has found her own forbidden love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy their happiness.  - Back o' the Book

     As a fan of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, I couldn't help but get this. I was never much into Romeo but it was written so beautifully that it became an instant favorite. This book is much much later. The premise was interesting but the execution was not what I has expected. There were interesting characters all very diverse in personality and voice and it kept me guessing.
     I could almost say there were a little too many twists or "rules" to the book. I can't exactly explain that because there is a whole intricate system of the "higher beings" in the book that was very confusing and not much light was shed on the subject. I think it made for a good read and if you're a fan of romance then this would be a nice addition to your collection.

-Recommended 

Generation Dead

Generation Dead
by Daniel Waters

Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He’s strong and silent…and dead.
All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn't want them. The administration at Oakvale High attempts to be more welcoming of the “differently biotic." But the students don’t want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn't breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the “living impaired” from the people who want them to disappear—for good. 
When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy? - Back o' the Book

     Despite the obviously cheesy cover (in my opinion) I picked up this book at a second hand store because of the back. I thought it was a pretty interesting concept and it caught my interest enough to want to know how this was going to play out. It was a pretty easy read and it was in a high school setting so it wasn't the most complicated of dialogue. I must say I wan't a fan of Phoebe's crush (the dead guy). He was a deep thinker when you get to know him more but I was not endeared towards him at all. Some of the supporting characters were a little flat, her best friend was the typical bumbling silly/loud best friend that usually accompanies thoughtful female leads.
     Although it was a little young in audience for my taste, it did hold my interest the whole way through and I really couldn't guess what was going to happen in the end. There are more books in the series and I may or may not buy them. I'm not totally invested in the characters but maybe when I have free time or when I get through my large book list.

-Recommended (for teens)

Delirium

Delirium
by Lauren Oliver

     Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn't understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.
     But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. - Back o' the Book

     I had heard a lot of hoopla about this book before I finally gave in an bought it. It's definitely a love story but it has a some interesting underlying messages. The fact that love was a disease was an interesting concept but the world she created seemed a little flimsy, but that may just be me. The main character, Lena, was very interesting. She seemed to be flat lining on the character dynamic level and then all of a sudden, she shot up as soon as she falls in love.
     I liked the second half of the book best, before she was kind of a weenie. The concept was cool, there were some interesting characters and plot twists so it was a good attention holder. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good book, and I know I will be purchasing the next in the series as soon as it is released. Now, off to the next book!

-Recommended                  

Eve

Eve
by Anna Carey

     Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.
     Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life. - Back o' the Book

     You may have noticed a trend in my book reviews: post apocalyptic and dystopian societies. I'm not sure why I'm attracted to these but I just can't get enough. Eve is the first book in what I am assuming is a trilogy and the ending of the first book definitely leads one to think so. To be honest, I was slightly disappointed. The synopsis of the book led me to think it would head in a different direction and I wasn't very attached to any of the characters. I'm not sure if this will be the case where they mature and grow in the following books but at the moment, I was emotionally un-invested in any of the characters and had little or no sympathy for them. It's a quick, easy read and definitely has an interesting premise, I just wasn't thrilled with the execution.

-Recommended (for younger teens)

The Reapers Are The Angels

The Reapers Are The Angels
by Alden Bell

     For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead.  Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart.  She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption.  Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks. - Back o' the Book
     If you're not really into zombies, don't worry, it's not super focused on them and if you are really into zombies, it has enough action to keep you interested. It's been described as a "Southern Gothic". I must say, I almost returned this to the library due to her slight southern accent (yes, that sometimes annoys me) but I stuck with it and I loved it! Temple is an interesting character, she has the body of a 16 year old but a mind that is mature beyond her years. She never knew a world before the dead walked the earth so she grows up focused on survival and going with the flow of life. She has very interesting perspectives on nature, God, and even the zombies that plague the earth.
     It has a little bit of mature content so I wouldn't suggest it to young folks, but this book is on my list of favorites. I wont ruin the ending, but I'll just say I loved it! This comes highly recommended.

-Recommended

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead 
by Julie Anne Peters

     Daelyn has suffered major psychological damage from years of being bullied. The torment and embarrassment she received because of her weight started her downhill slide into despair. Daelyn has lost her desire to live and failed at several attempts to end her life. Her latest failure has left her unable to talk and on 24-hour suicide watch. Her parents barely trust her to go to school.
     Daelyn is biding her time. She only has 23 days until her Date of Determination. She discovers the Through the Light website on accident, but finds it to be a welcome change of pace to the other suicide websites and discussion boards she’s visited in the past. Instead of preaching and warning her against her decision, the website provides rational and informational posts and discussions about ending her life. - Back o' the Book
     You may have read that and thought "Oh my gosh, that sounds horrible!"  You're right, it does, but I loved the book. At almost 200 pages, this is a quick read and utterly engrossing. I had a very hard time putting it down. Although it deals with a very touchy subject, it is beautifully written. It is very blunt and the main character goes through some horrible bullying so you really feel for her. Her development is subtle but all pulls together at the end. I found her likable and real which made the story and situation believable.
     To say I enjoy depressing books is an understatement and this one was undeniably depressing; however, it does leave you with a good feeling and helps you appreciate the life and time you have been given. I won't spoil the ending but it was enough closure to satisfy. It's a quick book so you won't be trapped in the dreariness for too long and I would say it's worth it in the end.

-Recommended

Divergent

Divergent 
by Veronica Roth
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. - Back o' the Book

     To begin, I'd like to say this makes it onto my Top Favorites list! This booked sucked me in from page one and I had a very hard time putting it down. I spent a couple nights into the wee hours of the morning pouring through this but it was well worth the baggy eyes.
     The main character, Beatrice, starts out as this seemingly young, lost, indecisive character with tons of room to grow. I had a hard time creating what she looked like in my brain but then again, there was a whole lot more to be engrossed by. Beatrice makes a choice that changes her whole life and puts her through difficulties she could only imagine.
     My most favorite aspect about this book is the fact that the character makes a complete change. The girl she was in the beginning grows and blossoms in such a unique way. I'm usually pretty good about guessing the outcome of a character before the end of the book, but Beatrice took off in an unsuspected was and does not stop growing and surprising you till the very last page.
    This book is great for both girls and guys and the age group can be from young adult on up. I would categorize it as an "Action Adventure" type story with plenty of violence, humor, rising tension and just a tad bit of romance. Definitely, I recommend this to anyone looking for a great read!

-Recommended

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
by Mary Roach
For 2,000 years, cadavers -- some willingly, some unwittingly -- have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. - Back o' the Book

     Although this book may seem morbid to someone who just picked it off the shelf, I'd say it was one of the funniest books I have ever read, hands down. There were parts in there that had me laughing out loud on several occasions. Mary Roach has the extreme talent of taking a taboo subject and making it more interesting, less uncomfortable, and ten times more humorous. 

     "Laughing at dead bodies?" you say? I assure you that she does it in a respectful manner while holding your interest the entire time. This is one book where, while you get to know things about the human body that may have been a mystery to you before and simultaneously get to know the author and realize how the whole book is dripping with her zany personality. 

     Even if you're a bit squeamish, I guarantee a great read! (If it's not, you can throw the book at me as hard as you'd like).

-Recommended